In Spiritu et Veritate: In Spiritu et Veritate

In Spiritu et Veritate: In Spiritu et Veritate: "In Spiritu et Veritate is a ministry of the new (and old) evangelism at the service of Christ's command to enangelize and disciple. Evangel..."

That TONE

Bishop Zavala

Mark Pattison writes in CNS about the  bloggers' role in relationship with the church.  The bishops often are the publishers of diocesan newspapers, and other media outlets, and as such are concerned over the tone/behavior of some bloggers.

  The Webinar (Faithful Catholic Media: Continuing the Conversation) was held July 28 and sponsored by the Catholic Press Association.  Naturally, the bishops are concerned about the influence some bloggers (not I) have on the faithful.  The chairman of the Communications Committe, Bishop Gabino Zavala, LA, focused on 3 aspects that make blogging unique:

*   Catholic perspective to events

*   Respectful and civil (Not like the secular media)

*   Input for Church leaders

The one that was most disturbing was the second concern: "Christian respect".  Some bloggers attack church leadership, in a less than "civil and respectful" manner.  

You know what I think the problem is?  The problem is two-fold: the impersonal nature of the written word (blog/email/letter/newspaper...), and TONE.   Since I enjoy writing and sending out letters and emails as soon as a thought enters my head, I know very well the problems that can arise, from the written word.  I have people that hate me, distrust me, have not allowed me to join their whatever, and think I'm a kook, (and they never read my blog ;-/ ).  All because I wrote something that came from the fingers--certainly not my head, and more certainly, not my heart.  Some people won't give you a break.  And those "some" call themselves Christians.  Geeesh!  If only, these (too easily) offended people were there in front of me when I wrote, we could have discussed the issue.  If they could have seen my body language.  If we could have had a verbal "give and take." 


 And then some people don't get satire.

The second issue, TONE, can be a problem.  I remember when I was teaching, some parents complained to me about the TONE I used in reprimanding their child.  It was the way I said, "Stop it!", that bothered them.  Seriously.  They objected to my tone.  

I guess they wanted me to say in a kind and sweet voice, "I really wish you wouldn't exhibit that behavior."

You think I'm kidding?        Well, think again.    

Anyway, back to blogging.  Some bloggers (not I) have that TONE.  The bishops want them to be civil and respectful.  The media, and especially bloggers, should tell errant priests and bishops that "they really wish they wouldn't exhibit that behavior."

OK.  I'll dislodge my tongue from my cheek.

It is the TONE, that the bishops are concerned about.  The words some of us use are perceived as disrespectful and judgmental.  I know what they're saying.  It's the TONE that hurts them.  

We Catholic bloggers should be different from the secular bloggers.  Readers should know us by our love.  

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for another.  

And I know the bloggers that have that TONE, will say that they do love, that's why they are calling attention to sins that should be corrected; but can readers perceive the love?  There is a need (Lord knows!) to point out sin, but the TONE has to show that you're Christian.  


Think before you write.  Pray before you think.

Another Vatican Hypocrisy

Imagine the chutzpah!  The Vatican, which is accused of sexual immorality, has the nerve to tell its guests how to dress!  What host does that?   By what right does the Church have to dictate morality?

The Vatican has issued it's dress code for visitors.  An article addressing the norms gives the shocked reactions of some of the visitors.  I mean, really....

A man in shorts is speared by a guisarme.
A women in a halter top is pierced with a halberd.
An elderly couple wearing tank tops was threatened with the bardiche.
One innocent child was almost beheaded by a glaive.

....and the list goes on...

Well, isn't this what you would have expected from the headline "Vatican Accused of Hypocrisy over Short Skirts?"

I guess anything to sell newspaper, even hyperbolic misrepresentation.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Vatican accused of hypocrisy over short skirts dress code (telegraph.co.uk)

Mystery

I'm speaking of mystery meaning what is not known.  It is something that only a few understand, or know.  For example, an artist and his creation.  The artist is trying to convey something with his work.  We viewing it may understand some of it, but now all the artist's intention.  This is how "mystery" is meant, in the Christian sense.
     The word "mystery," itself, is from Greek.  It's meaning is, not something obscure, but a secret given only to a few.  Did you know that "mystery" occurs 28 times in the New Testament? The word is used chiefly by Paul, who knew Greek. Paul accepted this term (mystery) to indicate the fact that, his Gospel message had been revealed to him by the Christ. 

The word in a few passages refers to a symbol, allegory or parable, which conceals its meaning from those who look only at the literal sense, but is the medium of revelation to those who have been given the grace to understand. Its most common meaning is that of a divine truth once hidden, but now revealed in the Gospel. 

The Greek is, "musterion." A mystery, as in something into which one must be initiated, instructed, before it can be known, something of itself not obvious and above human insight. 


And the Christian references:


Generally. Mark 4:11. Luke 8:10. Matt. 13:11, Jesus said, "It is given unto you to know the mysteries = (hidden truths) of the kingdom of heaven," as in a deeper and more perfect manner than they were made known to others.

1 Cor. 14:2, "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue (language) speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him, howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

Eph. 5:32, "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church."

2 Thes. 2:7, "the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way," mysterious wickedness, as hidden, as yet unknown to Christians, opposed to, ver.8, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed."

Rev.1:20, "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand --- are the angels (messengers) of the seven churches."

Rev.10:7, "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished."

Rev. 17:5, "upon her forehead was a name written, mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth," with ver.7, "the angel said, --- I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast." 

Eph.3:9, "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God," and

Col.1:26, "even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints."

Eph. 6:19, "for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel."

Col. 2:2, "their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement (knowledge) of the mystery of God."

Col. 4:3 "pray that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ."

Eph. 3:4, "When ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ."

1 Tim.3:9, "Holding the mystery of the faith in pure conscience."

Rom.16:25, "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began."

1 Cor.2:7, 4:1, "Let a man so account of us (consider us,) as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God."

1 Cor.13:2, "though I have the gift of prophecy and understanding all mysteries, --- so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

Eph.3:3, "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words."

Col.1:27, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory"

Rom.11:25, "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, --- that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

1 Cor.15:51, "behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed."

Eph.1:9, "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself."

1 Tim. 3:16, "great is the mystery of godliness, God = (Jesus) was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit."


h/t to Brother Peter Totleben, O.P., and the Seek First Wisdom site.

Guilty Priest Freed

A Catholic priest who pleaded guilty to rape and sodomy of a 13 year old girl in the 1970's, and was accused of six offenses, plea bargained to 42 days in a psychiatric hospital.  That's not the end of the story.

He heard rumors that he was going to be retried.  He fled the US.  He landed in Switzerland where he was placed under arrest.  It was house arrest until his trial for extradition.  The verdict was favorable towards him.  He will not be extradited back to the US.  He is safe.  He is free.

What do you think of that?

Well, think again, because I made a mistake.  I said Catholic Priest, but it should have been Film Director Roman Polanski.

h/t Father Tim and his Hermeneutic of Continuity

Catholic Church v. Vampires

Priest Trailer
Uploaded by teasertrailer. - Check out other Film & TV videos.

Visual effects are cool.  It's based on manhwa comic books.  The movie is called Priest.

Blogging, Again

The Voice of Russia web site, has an article about Patriarch Kirill telling his priests to blog.  Pope Benedict has harped on this theme also.  I guess there must be something to it, huh?  The Patriarch urges social networking and blogging as good vehicles to get their message across.

"Many priests and church hierarchs have their own blogs in the global network," he says. "It helps people seeking their paths in life. Jesus Christ taught His apostles to attract people by the word. High technology and the Internet should serve the same purpose."    

"The Church wants to make itself understood to most readers," he says. "This does not mean that church bloggers should use a primitive or false language. Unlike former Internet resources, social networks and blogs make it possible to talk and listen. Communication is crucial. A contemporary user wants two-way communication, so that they could ask questions and receive the answers, and could enter discussions with the others."  

    

The Vatican has been making an effective use of the Internet for years. According to expert Alexander Kuzin, expanding influence is common in church activity.   

"In January 2009 Pope Benedict XVI opened a blog at YouTube with short videos about what’s new in the Vatican. In winter the same year the pontiff struck a deal with the Google search engine. As a result, Google got access to the Holy See’s photos and texts. Vatican press secretary, Father Federico Lombardi, has described the deal as a new chapter in the history of the Vatican."

In the opinion of Alexander Kuzin, the Russian Orthodox Church will benefit a lot from borrowing this good practice from the Vatican.

From my reading of St. Dominic, I know this famous preacher would agree.  He would definitely be in the forefront of communication.  You've got to keep up with the times, to get your message across.